Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2001 15:07:27 -0400 (EDT) From: Rune Therain Subject: Shadows of the Past 11 For all of you who thought I was dead, I'm not. But after the last week I did feel like it. I am the type of person that likes 10+ hours of sleep a night. When I'm forced to only have 17 in 72 hours, I am not a happy camper. It also makes staying awake during classes like psychology a lot more interesting. The reason this has taken so long is writer's block. The writer's block was induced by lack of time; work and school will keep you pretty damn busy. But it's done now and that's all that truly matters. This really hasn't changed that much. This is fiction. It isn't real. The odds of Nsync's bodyguard's being Fey are really slim. I don't pretend to know them, so if they're gay they haven't told me. If homosexual themes offend you, leaving would be a really good idea. If you are too young or it's illegal in your area, leaving would also be a good idea. And for those of you who missed it the first time, I made this up. I really do like hearing from you guys, but I don't get many e-mails. I've gotten one for the last segment and I think two for previous ones. I like writing, but knowing what the readers think (and I do know you're out there somewhere) is nice too. If you want to drop me a line, and I'd really appreciate it if you did, you can send it to either of the following addresses. Mist_dark@hotmail.com or Mist_dark@yahoo.ca , I check both. I'll stop talking now. Enjoy the story and let me know what you think of it. Rune CHAPTER ELEVEN "It's a very simple concept Erin," Mara snapped. "I want you to enter the museum. I want you to remove the staff and return with it. It can't be that hard to understand." "I am not a common thief," Erin snapped. "I can determine the cause of a war and you want me to waste my efforts on stealing? Send one of the animals to do that job." "I didn't ask one of the animals," Mara said in a level voice. "I asked you. And you will do it. Neither Katra nor Ian has the skill or patience needed to perform that task to my liking. I do not want the entire human population to know that a person with superhuman strength and speed broke into a museum and stole an artefact. I do, however, want that staff. If you enter the building, then you can make it appear as if their equipment malfunctioned." "I still think my talents could be better used elsewhere," Erin grumbled. "Your talents will be used wherever I tell them to be used," Mara snapped. "You are nothing more then a half-breed Erin. No matter how powerful you are your power is nothing compared to what I wield." "And what if I decide I no longer want to work for you?" Erin asked. "What if I want to walk away and take my talents with me?" "Walk away and I will kill you," Mara said coolly. "You already know far too much about my plan. If the Oracle so much as looks at you he will know everything I have worked to keep hidden." "What do I know?" Erin snapped back. "You refuse to tell anyone anything about what we are doing. Kyle and I have done your bidding several times now and still know nothing." "You're lying," Mara told her flatly. "I am well aware of your little journey through my mind before you disposed of those troublesome police officers." She smiled when she saw the recognition in Erin's eyes. The smile didn't touch her eyes. "I already have cause to kill you Erin. Don't add to the list." "Where in the museum is the staff?" Erin asked. "I thought you would see things my way," Mara said smugly. "The staff is in the east wing, where they keep borrowed exhibits." She pulled out a blueprint, which she handed to Erin. "I expect you back before nightfall." Erin snatched the map and stormed out of Mara's office. The red haired woman did not enjoy being ordered around at the best of times. To make matters worse the other woman knew that Erin had telepathically invaded her mind. If Mara wanted to she could easily kill Erin and make it last for hours. She decided that taking her own car would draw too much attention. She also didn't want people to notice it. Instead she flagged down a taxi and gave the driver the address of the museum. She said nothing the entire trip and just watched city pass by. As the buildings filtered by she slipped into the past. Erin hated humans. She hated how they didn't have to worry about magical abilities. Or how one thought could kill another. She had long let go of anything resembling love. For over ten years she had had a void inside her. She felt no emotions other then hatred, anger and sometimes fear. She had been unable to feel any joyous emotion since shortly after her powers had manifested. She had always been a fast learner. When she began to hear other's thoughts she figured out what was going on very quickly. In a very short period of time she had learned how to control her telepathy and began to experiment with it. She had never hurt anyone until she had had an argument with her best friend. Her friend and her had been arguing about something trivial. She couldn't even remember what it was about now. The argument had escalated to shouting. Without thinking Erin had lashed out with her magic talent. In one instant she destroyed her friend's life. The girl had been rendered catatonic. Specialists came and looked at her, but all of them agreed she was in a coma that she'd never come out of. Her friend had died one week after the argument. Erin had never forgiven herself for what she'd done and slowly it began to eat away at her. She hardened herself to the outside world and eventually lost all ability for compassion. It was probably her inability for compassion that drove Kyle to the way he was. He had never been a very happy child, but after Erin's rapid turn he had changed as well. Erin had assumed it was an aspect of empathy. To be able to feel everyone else's emotions would drive a man insane if he let it happen. The only way to cope is to shut it out, and in doing so, shut out your own emotions as well. It didn't matter. The siblings were the way they were and nothing would change that. The driver's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She didn't often fall back into the past, but she did it now and again. Though every time she did, she never felt anything. She telepathically made the motions of handing the driver the fare. He wouldn't realize that he was short money until he went to count it at the end of the day. And by then she'd be long gone and he wouldn't be able remember who hadn't paid. The museum was reasonably empty for a Friday afternoon. She began sending slight telepathic messages to everyone around her. The woman collecting admission looked away when Erin walked by. The crowd parted around her, but no one paid any attention to her. It wasn't until she reached the east wing that she had to stop and begin formulating a plan. The exhibit was lain out in a strategic manner so that you would see all of the displays regardless of which path you took. She strolled through the displays looking for the staff. Mara had neglected to mention what the staff looked like so Erin assumed that she would know it when she saw it. Her assumption was correct. There was only one staff in the entire exhibit and even if there had been a thousand others Erin would have known this was the right one. The staff was held in the hand of a Greek statue. It was three feet long and carved of a red stone. It looked like it was made of ruby. Various symbols were carved into its length. She would have to be careful in removing the staff. If the alarms went off then they would lock the building down until the missing item was recovered and the thief caught. She had to make sure that the alarms didn't go off. After a few minutes of thought she decided on how she was going to do this. Erin left the staff behind and went in search of a security guard. When she found one she sifted through his mind until she found the information she wanted. A smile spread across her face as she walked toward the security room of the museum. The door was unlocked because a guard was inside. A few minutes later Erin was heading back to the exhibit to collect the staff. The guard had been more then helpful in shutting the security system off. He'd turn it back on in twenty minutes and never remember that he had done it. Though he'd lose his job when they checked the computer files. They would assume he was an accomplice in the crime. The plan went off without a hitch. She removed the staff from the statue's hand and walked away. No one glanced at her or even noticed the staff was missing. In less then ten minutes she was heading back to give Mara the staff. Cody was finishing making coffee when Justin came into the kitchen with a bemused expression on his face. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, but kept looking out of the kitchen into the living room. "Why is there a strange man bending in impossible ways in the living room?" He asked finally. Cody glanced into the living room. "That's Jason. And it's called yoga Justin." "Alright," Justin said. "It's yoga, and it's not natural to be able to bend so the soles of your feet touch the top of your head. And who is Jason?" "The Oracle," Cody told him. He poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Justin. "He'll explain everything later. He arrived last night." "Then he probably belongs to the assortment of jewellery upstairs," Justin said. He took the offered coffee and jumped up on the counter. "Why's he here?' "Like I said," Cody smiled. "He'll explain later." "You know don't you?" Justin accused. "Everyone but you and Sheryl know," the bodyguard smirked. "You were asleep when he told us everything." "It was worth it," Justin said with a grin. "Very worth it." "No doubt," Cody said. "Oh, and you may want to avoid any mention of games to Lance or Joey for a while. They have some bet going on about a game of sorts. I think it's best if we avoid the subject." "Will do," Justin replied. "Have you seen Sheryl? She wasn't in bed when I got up." "I thought she was with you. I haven't seen her." Cody told him. "Jason was up before I was, he might know more." "Thanks," Justin said. He hopped off the counter and walked back into the living room. He decided that it was too painful to watch Jason bend the way he was and went upstairs to get dressed. He had just finished when his cell phone rang. "Hello?" "Justin," Sheryl said. "Sorry about running out on you." "Sheryl? Where are you?" Justin asked as he sat down on the bed. "I'm at my apartment right now," Sheryl told him. "My editor called and I had to come and get some work for her to look at." "Why didn't you tell me?" Justin asked. "You were asleep when she called and I had to leave quickly. I was going to leave a note, but I couldn't find any paper. Which is why I'm calling you now. I'm really sorry, but I can't talk long." "When will you get back?" Justin asked. "I think later tonight. I'll make it up to you though, I'll bring you a surprise." Sheryl laughed on her end of the phone. "And no I won't give you a hint." "Damn," Justin laughed. "Didn't even get to ask." "I've got to go," Sheryl said. "I'll try to be there for tonight." "Okay," Justin said. "See you when you get here." "Can you do it?" Mara asked the Spirit Summoner. "I need these four spirits." "It will be hard," the man told her. "I won't be able to control any others. These spirits have been dead for over three hundred years." He paused and closed his eyes. "I can do it. It will take time, but I can do it." "I need them by the day after tomorrow," Mara told him. "Can you get them by then?" "Yes," he said after a moment's pause. "Barely, but I can do it." "Good," Mara said. "I'll be here to collect you at the appointed time." She turned and left the room. Her pace was brisk. She had a great deal to do and very little time to do it in. The books and charts were still spread all over her desk. It had taken her years to find the Ancients' prison, but she'd done it. She had the coordinates to find the island and soon she'd have the power needed to free the Ancients. All she needed now was the one person who could open the prison. The Fay picked up the phone on her desk and dialled a number. A smile crossed her face while she waited for the other end to be picked up. "It's time," was all she said. Another smile touched her features as she hung up the phone. "You are a fool, Oracle. You may still be alive, but there isn't a damned thing you can do to stop me." "Anyone seen Jason?" Josh asked. Each of them had gone their own way for most of the day. All of them needed time to adjust to the fact that their bodyguards weren't completely human. "He's down by the lake," Lance told him without looking up from his book. "Thanks," Josh said. The evening was warm. The sun hadn't completely set so it was light enough to see, but it wouldn't be like that for much longer. He looked around and then trotted down the path toward the lake. Jason was standing at the end of the dock staring off into the distance. He didn't move when Josh walked up the dock. Clouds were building on the horizon and it would probably rain before morning. He was about to let the other man know he was there when Jason started to say something. "O for a voice like thunder, and a tongue To drown the throat of war! - When the senses Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness, Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand? When the whirlwind of fury comes from the Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance Drive the nations together, who can stand? When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle, And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death; When souls are torn to everlasting fire, And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain, O who can stand? O who hath caused this? O who can answer at the throne of God? The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it! Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!" "Hello Josh," the Oracle said quietly. "How did you know" Josh stopped himself. "Don't' answer that. Was that Blake?" "Very good," Jason said softly. "Lullaby. One of my favourite poems." "It's beautiful," Josh said sincerely. "I've always thought so." The pair lapsed into silence for a few moments. "Justin took the news rather well I think." "It's hard to stun a celebrity for any length of time. The media's thrown so many things at us that we can accept anything now." Jason nodded, but didn't say anything. "Um^Å.can I talk to you?" Josh asked. He was suddenly very nervous. "Of course." Jason sat down and swung his legs over the side of the dock. He feet stopped just above the water. Josh mimicked his movements. He collected his thoughts before going on. "I don't know how to say this," he said lamely. "I don't even know where to begin." "Josh," Jason said. He looked directly into the singer's eyes. "I know." "You do?" Josh asked softly. "Yes." "Then we can?" He asked. "Not now," Jason said. "Maybe after this is all over." "Oh," Josh said. He took a deep breath. "Josh," Jason said firmly. "Something could happen between us. Just not right now. There are too many things that need my attention and I don't want to hurt you by ignoring you while they're being taken care of." The singer nodded and didn't say anything for a second. "What's it like being the Oracle?" Jason looked back out across the lake. "I'd trade it all for a moment to be normal." "Is it that bad?" "I'm twenty Josh. I'm in a position that makes everyone look to me for direction. I've been leading the Fey since I was ten. That's no way for a child to enter adulthood." "I didn't think of that," Josh said. "What about your powers? Are they useful?" "They help me do my job," Jason replied. "Of course all of them weren't mine to begin with." "Huh?" Josh said. "I thought you were born with your powers." "I was born with the ability to look at a man and see every possible future that he could experience. When I became the Oracle I gained a few others to help." "You know what's going to happen to everyone that you see?" Josh asked. "So you know what will happen to us if we get together just by looking at me?" "I know what could happen," he clarified. "Look at it this way. If you are walking down the street and you come to a fork you have to decide which way to turn right? If you go left you could be hit by a car, whereas if you go right you could meet the Pope. I see both possibilities, but I don't know what will happen until you've made the choice and turned right or left." "How do you know what will happen then?" Josh asked. "I don't always know. Sometimes fate has something planned and no matter what course you take, you'll end up at that point. If someone is destined for something, I know." "That has to be hard," Josh said. "Knowing every possibility about people. Even when they're going to die." "I make do," the Oracle told him. "All the Fey have to learn to cope with their powers." "Speaking of which, what are our bodyguard's powers?" "You mean you've had all day and you haven't asked them yourself?" Jason laughed. "Sean is telekinetic. A simple power, but very useful. Deana is a translocater. She can teleport herself and others around. Cody has the most complicated power. He can activate talismans." "Talismans?" Josh asked. "Like magic charms and that?" "Exactly." "And you can see the future," Josh finished. "That and read auras, read minds and have visions," Jason told him. "I have to be versatile to do my job." Josh laughed quietly. The sun had completely set by this time and the pair just stared out across the water without saying anything. The sounds of the night surrounded them as each was lost in his own thoughts. "We should get back," Jason said. He stood and then helped Josh to his feet. "Something's going to happen." "What?" "I don't know yet," he said. TBC So? Let me know what you think. Rune